let us speak using each other’s words.

@karnakian sent:

‘ you know, raguna, i’ve recently come to the long - overdue realization that i’ve been a bit unfair to you these past few years. always expecting you to indulge me and cater to my whims with very little in the way of reciprocation . . . well, it’s hardly conducive to a healthy friendship now, is it ? ’ he heaves a small sigh — one that you’d almost believe he meant if you didn’t know any better — before turning to face the younger man in full, slightly drooping ears flicking back to attention. ‘ so . . . please, allow me to return the favor. ’ grandly, he gestures to the table before him. atop it sits a meal fit for a k— well, a king, perhaps, provided he were a masochist. numerous plates of various poisonous fish, grilled to near-perfection as a result of both his and chef porcoline’s joint efforts; freshly pressed mushroom juice, a brackish and frankly somewhat disturbing shade somewhere between purple and brown ; the most normal - looking dish appears to be a single cup of ice cream, sweetly tinged a pale blue and adorned with dried flowers — which upon further inspection turn out to be charm blues, flowers already previously leon - approved as slightly poisonous. and beside it all stands the former priest, who apparently is feeling gracious enough to only appear moderately smug.

‘ well ? what do you think ? go on, then. i’m sure my guilt will only be fully assuaged after i’ve seen you finish every last bite. ’ heh. heh heh.

Raguna may not voice this feeling out loud, his mannerism too much on the malleable modest side. But yes, he does agree with that sentiment. However, also true is that he doesn't particularly mind it since Leon really is like that with just about everyone. Far as he can tell. Still, it's a feeling strong enough that the smile does betray a small twitch as the Earthmate turns to look at the priest whilst being escorted inside of Porcoline's diner.

"I've more or less come to expect most of the treatment. After all, you would probably get really embarrassed trying to reciprocate when people do nice things for you. You're not the first person I've met who acts like that." Uhuh? Yeah? Is Raguna intending a jab here? Is he just mocking friendliness? Huh??? Whatever feeling lay just beneath his mien and that warm smile, it chilled the moment he saw the table.

"You don't actually have to do anything to make it up to me, just knowing the feeling... is..." And then seeing the items placed upon it. You'd swear that this was the collection of gifted items crafted to be thrown back in his face or some ridiculous notion like that. It takes him a couple moments, but discerning the theme of all the dishes comes quickly once a few dots find their connection.

"Uhhh. You're joking." Eye contact is made. "No. You're not." He gulps, looking between the fox priest and the spread of questionable dishes. This is a test? No, it's just another joke. Another prank. Leon is here to see Raguna turn it all down so he has that power back in his hands, right? This isn't evening the scales, it's tipping them all back. It's taking the relationship between them and turning it into a catapult, forget a see-saw.

Well.

Raguna takes a seat at the table, a flare of a snort fuming from his nostrils as he sizes it all up, loosening his collar and rolling his neck.

Raguna won't give him the satisfaction.

"Okay. If that's what it takes to fix your guilt. Then I'll do it." Raguna fishes a bottle from the pack on his waist, slapping it down onto the counter. The liquid sloshes, a familiar purple concoction for poison remedies. A flick of the thumb sends the cork flying without a care. It's not what he's used to using for a palate cleanser, but it'll have to do.